Monday, July 31, 2006

Well, it finally happened. Abbie took scissors to her hair. Mom didn't have a cow but it was close. She always tells me she wants hair like Keaton (on the right in the picture) and I even had it cut once. I always wanted her to have LONG hair. You know, like all the other girls I envied growing up.

Here she is getting just what she wanted..... A haircut.

This is the cute cut now. It looks adorable. She doesn't look like a boy and they didn't have to layer everything. On her right side, there's still a weird chunk out of it but, she can have hairbows and barrettes.

Aren't we all striving for our children to have the things we never had. LONG hair isn't such a big thing, right? I want her to throw a ball, too.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Who is this little girl in the homemade dress? Did she know that the hair needed something?!? Did she cut her hair herself? Did she see braces in her future?

Yeah, that's me in about 1st grade. I'm not sure why my mom kept my hair so short. I didn't feel weird or ugly - so I guess it was okay. Later when people would tell me their childhood tales of LONG hair - I was envious. One of my college friends had hair down to her hiney. Her name was on her shorts because it it was covered on the back of her shirt. I always found this fascinating.

I think the haircut was called a pixie. When I was old enough to choose, I had a shag. Does that tell you anything?

I've been waiting for awhile to give this announcement - there's a new speaking ministry in town! Yep, that's my Coffee Group. Some of us have been led to put ourselves "out there" and we're freaked out about it! We have booked Southern Hills for a Sneak Perk and we'll be speaking at ACU Lectureship in September!

Check out the site and come to either event. This is your personal invitation for Southern Hills on Tuesday, August 22. We'll have de-cafe at 6:45 and begin at 7:00.

Please feel free to ask any questions - I'm too excited to put everything in this post! Please pray for us and this ministry!

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Oh. My. Stars. Has anyone else opened a power bill and had a heart attack? Last month when our bill was over $400 I was initially embarrassed. I just KNEW people would think we were "running that air all the time!" My sweet hubby told me we were losing air somewhere in the house. For his birthday, my in-laws gave us storm doors. (They are lovely, thank you for asking.)

Well, I'm letting the secret out! TXU has raised the standard rate over 24 percent since last summer. In Texas that means that our "price to beat" has gone up over 24 percent! We haven't done anything wrong - the powerful energy providers have simply made it cost more to cool our homes. My friend, Tom, has been saying for months that in August people will have to choose to turn off their air or eat. I'm including a link for you to compare rates if you like.

Yes, we've switched providers. Yes, we have turned to air up to 77 all the time. It's down right warm in the kitchen at supper time. Yes, I've given up a wonderful pedicure. We haven't chosen air over food, yet, but I see lots of beans in our future.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Well, it's finally happened - Jim is turning 40! That's the thing about marrying a younger man - you have to wait for him to catch up sometimes. Now my mother-in-law can't claim to be 39 anymore. Happy Birthday, Honey!

Interesting Tidbit: Jim is getting TP out of the tree that my Christian sisters put up there. This is an ongoing ministry for several of them to show love for one another....

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Here are some of the cousins from my parent's 50th Anniversary Party. This is Steven, Abbie and Robert.Here's Candace (behind the centerpiece,) Steven, Abbie, Robert, David and Kenny.

My parents celebrated 50 years on July 14 and we had a party on July 15. The grandkids dressed up in 50's style clothes and Kenny even got a flat-top. Both of the girls had on poodle skirts and looked so cute! You can't tell much from the pictures but the room was decorated nicely, too. We had mounted old pictures on the trellis and that was the most fun for us - talking about all the old pictures. One of the church members had created a CD-ROM with pictures that ran continuously and there was 50's music (but no dancing, of course!) I think my parents really enjoyed it - that made it all worthwhile.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Well, we're finally home from Alabama!! I hadn't told EVERYONE we were going just for safety. So..... if you've been checking here wondering "Where is Denise?!" I'm back. I shamelessly passed out my blog address in an attempt to increase my readership so maybe I'll have some new comments! There is so much to tell and write about it will take me several posts - be prepared or be afraid.

3 things on my desk: (technically it's Jim's desk - I don't have a desk)my water bottlea sweet Beanie Baby that was in the crib with Kenny during his time in NICU It even has tape residue that was used to keep in an IV (click to see)stacks of paper that needs to be filed!!

3 things I'm doing right now:typingthinking that I should go pottylaundry

3 things I want to do before I die:go hiking in Big Bend country and New Mexico, toosee my grandchildren become God's peoplelearn to speak Spanish

3 things I can do:smock - it takes away alot of tension for mehang a spoon from my nosesing songs from any era

3 things that describe my personality:vivacious - I've heard this for YEARSfunnyover the top

3 things I can't do:stay up all night - not even in collegesleep lateopen the power bill - it's too painful

3 things I think that I should listen to:the Fathermy kidsbirds singing

3 things I should NEVER listen to:Howard Sternthe Devil (is that Howard Stern again?)Entertainment Tonight - I want to get over these celebrity people

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Big Mama says "Thanks for the blog love." She needs to know there are at least 15 people out there who really care!

I have been confronted with the idea that no one cares what happens in my life. On CBS's Sunday Morning they did a report on blogging. No one wants to read about your cat - so they say. Well, I don't have a cat but I do have a rather boring life. Maybe you're reading because you just can't look away....

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I've read my fiction and non-fiction in my continuing effort to improve myself. First, I read The Devil Wears Prada. This was a re-read for me - I wanted to read it again before the movie came out. This is really a funny book and if makes me laugh out loud in places. I've read a few reviews since the movie came out and it's not well-liked. Yes, the main character has no spine but I felt she was brain-washed into believing it was the only way to get along at her job. I know there have been jobs (and bosses) that I have suffered though thinking, "it's only a little bit longer." The book does have some adult language and drinking. Our main character doesn't have any time for any other inappropriate behaviors. Enjoyable read.

I then did see the movie ( with other chicks) and it's definitely a chick flick. The clothes are great and the main character actually gets a little something from her boss at the end.

Non-fiction. Tough one. I tried to make it though spme other book and, no, it didn't happen. The language was just too difficult. So, Singular Intimacies Becoming a Doctor at Bellevue by Danielle Ofri. This was recommended by a RN and the bloodiness didn't seem to bother her. There were parts that made me a little queasy.

"It was the only object in the room that wasn't stainless steel. When he presseda lever, there was a low buzzing sound and a trail of smoke wormed its way upout of her belly. The acrid smell of singed flesh seeped into the air and the bleeding ceased."

That part was a little rough. This is a book of essays about the author's internship and residentacy and how it turned her into a doctor. It's nice to know that there are Drs. out there that struggle to learn their way. It was also good to learn to NEVER got to a teaching hospital in the month of July. I found the essays regarding death very compelling. I'll be writing more about that later. We all need to consider how we want to go onto be with the Lord. The writing is very good - read it!

Friday, July 07, 2006

In honor of my 100th post, let's play hillbilly name! Just follow the link to get your own hillbilly name then come back and post your name in the comments! If you haven't commented before - I'm looking for you!! You are a lurker and I wanna know you're there......

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Yes, it's the 4th of July and I'm at home. For many years the 4th was a day of work. We spent time in the heat, saw lots of money and talked some fireworks! My parents run a firework stand in Birmingham. Not in Bham but the county - firework stands are illegal in Bham. Of course, everyone shoots fireworks in Bham so they drive outta town to get them. Then again most everyone lives outta town in Bham so it's not a problem.

My family has had at least one stand for about 15 years. Some years there were 2 and as many as 4 - one year I even ran one! Let's just say - there's an entire culture there that our family chooses to exploit. We have trailers that have been cleaned out and lots of fireworks put into them. My dad always said that you can't sell from an empty cart so we had lots of fireworks. (He's getting more right now I'm sure!)My parents consider it worth their time; although, I'm pretty sure my mom is about ready to hand in her Crazy Bill's t-shirt.

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Okay, one story. A few years ago, Jim and I were both working with mom and dad on the 4th. It's customary to shoot a few at the end of the evening and Jim usually does the honors. We had shot a few and Jim left them out to make sure they wouldn't burn. My husband grew up in West Texas so outdoor fire safety is second nature to him. Someone else threw them into the dumpster (full of broken boxes) and they began to smolder. Jim's truck was parked right next to the dumpster and so was my car. We jumped in and moved those babies and here came the fire department (good news - the fire department is about 200 yards away.) No flames, just some smoke and lots of water.

Monday, July 03, 2006

We have lots of flies at our house. Nothing to do about it - they come in every time the doors open. Now, I have a knack for killing flies, if I do say so myself! I can usually kill them with one whack of the swatter. My children are so impressed with my swatting talent! Practice, practice, practice.

Needless to say, they attempt to emulate their insect-murdering mom. Kenny will carry around the swatter - he watches and swats but rarely makes his mark. Abbie hasn't requested the hot pink swatter. She seems content to allow me to do the job for her. But this morning we had a change in the Waldrop household. Abbie killed one on her own!! My daughter has never been so proud of herself! It was flying around her donut (yes, I bought donuts this morning) and she was tired of it! She got the little bugger! She's told us a few times like a guy reliving his favorite football play. Perhaps it's a girl thing.....